Volvo introduces speed cap on new cars

In an attempt to mitigate the rising rate of traffic accidents, Volvo’s new update now limits every new Volvo with a top speed of 180kph. Last year, the Swedish company made a promise to introduce such a limitation and goes beyond regulation and legislation to help close the remaining gap to zero serious injuries and fatalities in traffic.

Apart from the speed cap, every Volvo car will now also come with a Care Key, which allows Volvo drivers to set additional limitations on the car’s top speed, for example before lending their car to other family members or to younger and inexperienced drivers.

Together, the 180kph speed restriction and the new Care Key broadcasts a strong signal about the dangers of speeding, emphasizing Volvo’s commitment to safety. The company aims to set an example on how car makers can take active responsibility for striving to achieve zero traffic fatalities by supporting better driver behavior.

“We believe that a car maker has a responsibility to help improve traffic safety,” said Malin Ekholm, head of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “Our speed limiting technology, and the dialogue that it initiated, fits that thinking. The speed cap and Care Key help people reflect and realize that speeding is dangerous, while also providing extra peace of mind and supporting better driver behavior.”

Since it was announced, the top speed limit has been highly controversial, with some people questioning the rights of car makers to impose such limitations through available technology. Yet Volvo Cars believes it has an obligation to continue its tradition of being a pioneer in the discussion around the rights and obligations of car makers to take action that can ultimately save lives, even if this means losing potential customers.

Volvo's research shows that on average, people have poor understanding of the dangers around speeding. As a result, many people often drive too fast and have poor speed adaption in relation to the traffic situation.

Apart from speeding, intoxication and distraction are two other primary areas of concern for traffic safety and that fills the remaining gap towards Volvo Cars’ vision of a future with zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries. It is taking action to address all three elements of human behavior in its safety work, with more features to be introduced in future cars.

Photos from Volvo

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